Published: Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 12:23 a.m.

Tim Hudson will start the season opener for Atlanta. This marks the third time Hudson has received the opening-day nod for the Braves.

AP

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez announced his choice Thursday. It will be the third time Hudson has pitched the opener for Atlanta. He also made three opening-day starts with Oakland.

Hudson will start at home on April 1 against Philadelphia. Paul Maholm and Kris Medlen will follow in the three-game series.

Mike Minor will start against the Chicago Cubs at home on April 5 and rookie Julio Teheran will complete the Braves' rotation.

Hudson was 16-7 with a 3.62 ERA last year. He has a 105-65 career record in eight seasons with the Braves.

... In Kissimmee, Fla., Tim Hudson tuned up for his opening day start with six scoreless innings and Justin Upton hit a towering home run to lead the Atlanta Braves over the Washington Nationals 4-3 Thursday night.

Hudson came into the game with a 5.40 ERA this spring. He allowed six hits, struck out five and walked none while throwing 45 of his 65 pitches for strikes.

Upton's homer leading off the sixth inning against Nationals starter Dan Haren cleared the scoreboard in deep left-center field. It was his fifth homer of the spring and gave him 17 RBIs in 20 games.

Haren worked 5 1/3 innings and allowed eight hits and four runs.

Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.